Our Committees

Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee

The Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee, often referred to as EVAC, was established by the State Training Board in 2009 as part of the amendments to the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996 that came into effect on 10 June 2009.

The Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development as required under section 60C of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996. This advice and recommendation includes:

the classification of the qualification (Class A or Class B);
the nominal duration (period of training) of a training contract for the qualification;
whether an apprentice under a training contract should be able to work part-time;
whether a person at school should be able to enter into a training contract for the qualification; and
any condition that should apply to the classification of the qualification.

Terms of Reference

The Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee:

is required to meet on an as needs basis to consider submissions from Training Councils relating to the classification of prescribed vocational education and training qualifications, particularly the establishment or variation of apprenticeships and traineeships, and make recommendations to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development;
ensures that Training Councils have followed the due process set out in the Guidelines for the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships;
considers submissions from Training Councils including implications and risks identified by the Department of Education and Training and make recommendations to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development within four weeks of receiving a submission;
reports to the State Training Board on the advice and recommendations it provides to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development for each submission; and
refers submissions to the State Training Board for a decision and recommendation to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development if the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee is unable to reach a decision on a submission, or if the decision would potentially have a significant negative impact on the domestic skills market for that particular trade and industry including employers, training providers, and students.

Membership

Membership of the Establishment and Variation of Apprenticeships Committee is determined by the State Training Board, and includes at least three members of the State Training Board, one of which is the Chair of the State Training Board. The current members of the EVAC are:

Keith Spence, Chair
Simone McGurk, State Training Board member (UnionsWA)
Jane Coole, State Training Board member
Kelley Yeats, State Training Board member (CCIWA)
Anna Wildy, A/Principal Policy Consultant, Policy Planning and Research, Department of Training and Workforce Development (Ex-officio member)
Fritzi Krogel, Manager Education and Training International (Ex-officio member)

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Youth Unemployment Committee

The State Training Board established the Youth Unemployment Committee in March 2012. This committee will investigate and report on the following issues:

Youth Unemployment Demographics: The Steering Committee aims to examine the youth unemployment statistics to develop a statistical picture of young people’s transition to employment and further education. This will include research and analysis of youth unemployment factors including employability skills, education and training attainment, work readiness, rewarding and secure employment, career and transition support and income support.

Preparation of Young People: The Steering Committee will consult with relevant stakeholders to identify activities, programs and training that provide for a successful transition from secondary education to further education, training and employment. It will also examine young people who are no longer in secondary education and examine the long-term outcomes of young people who are on a ‘notice of arrangement’. Finally, this phase of the project will explore strategies to re-engage young unemployed people in education, training and/or employment and the role that the vocational education and training sector has in this important activity.

Expectations and Career Advice – Employer, Young Person and Parent: The Steering Committee will consult with targeted agencies providing career development services in schools, tertiary institutions, industry and other community advisory bodies to examine the role, source and quality of advice provided to young people and their parents/guardians on career choices. The Steering Committee will also gather the views and expectations of industry bodies, employers, schools and training providers to focus on identifying the scale and scope of the challenges facing the acquisition and transfer of workplace skills by young people to the workplace.

Membership

The membership of the Youth Unemployment Steering Committee is:

Audrey Jackson, Chair
Vanessa Davies, State Training Board member
Tim Dymond, UnionsWA
Allan Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Administrative and Professional Services Training Council
Mal Gammon, Chief Executive Officer, FutureNow: Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council
Jillian Dielesen, Chief Executive Officer, Logistics Training Council
Norma Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Retail and Personal Services Training Council
Kay Gerard, Chief Executive Officer, Food, Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council (on leave)
Juanita Healy, Executive Director Statewide Services, Department of Education
Yvonne Herft, Senior Policy Officer, Department of Training and Workforce Development
Kathy Hoare, A/Director, Office of the State Training Board

The Committee is assisted by Business Group Australia consultants Mr Gary Collins and Mr Jim Syrmas.